South African Minister Praises Moscow-Beijing Ties Ahead of BRICS Summit
As the BRICS summit kicks off in Russia, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has expressed optimism about the bilateral ties between Moscow and Beijing. Speaking ahead of the summit, Lamola described the relationship between the two nations as built on mutual trust and highlighted the positive impact of Chinese investment in South Africa.
“It is a relationship of trust, which is mutually beneficial,” Lamola said. “With Chinese companies having invested a lot in our country, we are looking at the benefits for our country, value add in South Africa, and also local manufacturing, which we believe can help drive our economy.”
The BRICS summit, which began on Tuesday, marks the first time the expanded alliance has met since its expansion. The alliance originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa but has now grown to include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Iran. The five-day summit is scheduled to run until October 24th.
The BRICS nations are often regarded as a counterbalance to the Western-led world order, with the combined economies of its member states accounting for approximately 28% of the global economy. As the summit brings together leaders from the expanded alliance, it is expected to focus on key issues such as economic cooperation, trade, and global governance.
The expansion of the BRICS alliance has been seen as a significant shift in the global economic landscape. With the combined strength of its member states, the alliance is poised to play a more substantial role in shaping the international economy and promoting cooperation among emerging economies.
As the BRICS summit continues, all eyes will be on the leaders of the expanded alliance as they work together to address the pressing issues of our time. With a renewed focus on cooperation and mutual trust, the BRICS nations are well-positioned to drive economic growth, development, and prosperity across the globe.
